For anyone interested, this is a series of post chronicling the frame up
restoration of a 1979 Honda CR250 "Red Rocket".
Here is the bike I started with. I won it on an Ebay auction advertised as a recent
restoration. I could tell from the Ebay pictures it was no where near restored, but
I thought it would make for a decent start.

I started by disassembling the bike and inspecting everything. The engine ran, but
the clutch was locked up. Both rims were dented and ruined, the tank, pipe and
silencers had several large dents, the plastic had been rattle can painted as had
the frame and engine. The suspension was sacked, sprockets hooked. It was
about what you expect from a half baked restoration attempt.

Before I started this project, I had to decide if I was building a rider or a dust collector.
I also decided to restore rather than replace everything possible, and finally, I was
determined to keep the bike as 100% OE as I could.
Here is the frame right out of the curing oven. I soda blasted it to get rid of the
cheasy paint and rust. I commisioned one of the big powder manufacturers to
produce a powder color match for Tahtian Red since nobody made that exact
color.
Frame with swingarm

Next up were the shocks. After a lot of searching, I found two dampers that still had
their charge. I restored the bodies and polished the chrome shafts. The hardware
was sent out for Cadmium plating in the original Gold chromate color. I located a
couple of NOS springs that were a mess from shelf wear. I media blasted them with
glass beads and powder coated them with 40% gloss Black. I replaced the rubber
bushings and ended up with essentially a new pair of shocks. Of course we won't
talk about what crap these stock shocks were.
Shock and airbox hardware cleaned and polished before Cadmium plating.

Restored shock dampers
Finished shocks
Shocks installed

The fuel tank was next. As I said, it had a couple of nice dents and was poorly painted.
I stripped the paint and used a secret method to pop the dents. I spent some time
prepping, blocking, priming over and over until I had it just right. PPG color matched
the Tahitian Red in one of their new water based paints and I sprayed on several coats
of color and one coat of clear. I found a NOS fuel cap and restored the petcock, then
applied NOS Honda decals to the tank.
Tank after paint
Restored petcock
Tank with decals, NOS mounting rubber/collars and fuel cap.

Very nice work Mr. Dogger and great attention to detail. That reminds me of Mr. Newmann and his paint guns!
At what point did you decide to make it a dust collector? Just curious because I almost made my Fox RM 370 a garage queen. ALMOST

For anyone interested, this is a series of post chronicling the frame up
restoration of a 1979 Honda CR250 "Red Rocket".
Here is the bike I started with. I won it on an Ebay auction advertised as a recent
restoration. I could tell from the Ebay pictures it was no where near restored, but
I thought it would make for a decent start.

I started by disassembling the bike and inspecting everything. The engine ran, but
the clutch was locked up. Both rims were dented and ruined, the tank, pipe and
silencers had several large dents, the plastic had been rattle can painted as had
the frame and engine. The suspension was sacked, sprockets hooked. It was
about what you expect from a half baked restoration attempt.

Before I started this project, I had to decide if I was building a rider or a dust collector.
I also decided to restore rather than replace everything possible, and finally, I was
determined to keep the bike as 100% OE as I could.
Here is the frame right out of the curing oven. I soda blasted it to get rid of the
cheasy paint and rust. I commisioned one of the big powder manufacturers to
produce a powder color match for Tahtian Red since nobody made that exact
color.
Frame with swingarm

Next up were the shocks. After a lot of searching, I found two dampers that still had
their charge. I restored the bodies and polished the chrome shafts. The hardware
was sent out for Cadmium plating in the original Gold chromate color. I located a
couple of NOS springs that were a mess from shelf wear. I media blasted them with
glass beads and powder coated them with 40% gloss Black. I replaced the rubber
bushings and ended up with essentially a new pair of shocks. Of course we won't
talk about what crap these stock shocks were.
Shock and airbox hardware cleaned and polished before Cadmium plating.

Restored shock dampers
Finished shocks
Shocks installed

The fuel tank was next. As I said, it had a couple of nice dents and was poorly painted.
I stripped the paint and used a secret method to pop the dents. I spent some time
prepping, blocking, priming over and over until I had it just right. PPG color matched
the Tahitian Red in one of their new water based paints and I sprayed on several coats
of color and one coat of clear. I found a NOS fuel cap and restored the petcock, then
applied NOS Honda decals to the tank.
Tank after paint
Restored petcock
Tank with decals, NOS mounting rubber/collars and fuel cap.

I'll wrap it up here. Next will be the motor build.

dogger

Hello, very nice job, I just purchased a 79 250cr, the Fram is being coated now, could you share your ideas on the gas tank, mine has some larger dents.
Thanks

Hello, very nice job, I just purchased a 79 250cr, the Fram is being coated now, could you share your ideas on the gas tank, mine has some larger dents.
Thanks

The best way to proceed depends on the size, depth and severity of the dents. I used compressed air on my 79 tank. This technique will
work, but you have to set up a jig to prevent the saddle from expanding. I used two pieces of dom tubing stacked and placed in the
saddle during the process. Once the dents pop out, you'll need to use other techniques to render the surface completely smooth.

By the way, I'm selling most of my restos including this 79 in case anybody wants a turn key showroom Red Rocket.

For anyone interested, this is a series of post chronicling the frame up
restoration of a 1979 Honda CR250 "Red Rocket".
Here is the bike I started with. I won it on an Ebay auction advertised as a recent
restoration. I could tell from the Ebay pictures it was no where near restored, but
I thought it would make for a decent start.

I started by disassembling the bike and inspecting everything. The engine ran, but
the clutch was locked up. Both rims were dented and ruined, the tank, pipe and
silencers had several large dents, the plastic had been rattle can painted as had
the frame and engine. The suspension was sacked, sprockets hooked. It was
about what you expect from a half baked restoration attempt.

Before I started this project, I had to decide if I was building a rider or a dust collector.
I also decided to restore rather than replace everything possible, and finally, I was
determined to keep the bike as 100% OE as I could.
Here is the frame right out of the curing oven. I soda blasted it to get rid of the
cheasy paint and rust. I commisioned one of the big powder manufacturers to
produce a powder color match for Tahtian Red since nobody made that exact
color.
Frame with swingarm

Next up were the shocks. After a lot of searching, I found two dampers that still had
their charge. I restored the bodies and polished the chrome shafts. The hardware
was sent out for Cadmium plating in the original Gold chromate color. I located a
couple of NOS springs that were a mess from shelf wear. I media blasted them with
glass beads and powder coated them with 40% gloss Black. I replaced the rubber
bushings and ended up with essentially a new pair of shocks. Of course we won't
talk about what crap these stock shocks were.
Shock and airbox hardware cleaned and polished before Cadmium plating.

Restored shock dampers
Finished shocks
Shocks installed

The fuel tank was next. As I said, it had a couple of nice dents and was poorly painted.
I stripped the paint and used a secret method to pop the dents. I spent some time
prepping, blocking, priming over and over until I had it just right. PPG color matched
the Tahitian Red in one of their new water based paints and I sprayed on several coats
of color and one coat of clear. I found a NOS fuel cap and restored the petcock, then
applied NOS Honda decals to the tank.
Tank after paint
Restored petcock
Tank with decals, NOS mounting rubber/collars and fuel cap.

The best way to proceed depends on the size, depth and severity of the dents. I used compressed air on my 79 tank. This technique will
work, but you have to set up a jig to prevent the saddle from expanding. I used two pieces of dom tubing stacked and placed in the
saddle during the process. Once the dents pop out, you'll need to use other techniques to render the surface completely smooth.

By the way, I'm selling most of my restos including this 79 in case anybody wants a turn key showroom Red Rocket.

Wow, Don, does "resto's" include the 500? The others are a mid 90's 250, 73/4 Elsinore, and 87, right?

Wow, Don, does "resto's" include the 500? The others are a mid 90's 250, 73/4 Elsinore, and 87, right?

Yes, including the 500. The others are a 93 CR250, and the 09 CR250. The 87 is already sold and I'm not
selling my Elsie. I also have several A kits left with one on hold. I started with six so they appear to be in
demand. I'm parting the two "AFs". Not to many MXers have the bucks to buy the whole bike.